For many years Jacques Jouffret ASC was one of the world’s top camera operators, winning the SOC Camera Operator of the Year award for his work on Into the Wild and contributing to multiple Transformers films, Swordfish, Seabiscuit, Deepwater Horizon, Man on Fire, Patriots Day and Lone Survivor. Today he is an acclaimed cinematographer whose credits include The Purge, Jack Ryan, Mile 22, Gran Turismo and his Emmy nominated work on American Primeval.

This week on Cinemapodgrapher we sit down with Jacques to hear his journey from growing up in France to moving to the United States, discovering Steadicam after NYU and building a career that has spanned some of Hollywood’s biggest productions.

We explore the differences between shooting on film and digital, the importance of crew relationships, and how Jacques approaches managing people and leading teams. He also shares stories from his frequent collaborations with directors Michael Bay and Peter Berg.

It is an episode full of insights, experiences and lessons for anyone chasing excellence in the camera department.